Category: Brain & Health News

Looking to combat cognitive decline? A new study has found that brain stimulating activities like leadership or management roles at work, continuing adult education or social engagement enhances mental agility in later years. Early and mid-life challenges help build cognitive reserve which provides a buffer against age or illness. Higher levels of reserve increase the chance of staying cognitively fit for longer. Start building your brain reserve and learn more about the findings of this large-scale research by the University of Exeter!

NY Times: ‘Pacemaker’ for the Brain Can Help Memory, Study Finds

Scientists have discovered that zapping the brain with a little bit of electricity at the correct time may aid in enhancing memory. These findings might one day help create technologies to help people suffering from memory loss. Learn more about this cutting edge technique.

Forbes : Too Much Sugar Linked To Reduced Memory, Brain Volume

Findings from a new study indicate that drinks laden with sugar are linked with brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease. On average, the more sugary beverages consumed, the lower the scores on memory exams and the lower overall brain volume. A reduction in brain volume has been associated with a higher risk for Alzheimer’s. Try to remove or lower the sugar in your drinks and discover more about this latest research!

Play fun smart games that challenge and delight your memory and 5 other key brain areas for free!

Did you know that socializing with friends and family during a holiday like Easter is a great way to boost your mental, emotional and physical health? Maintaining connections with friends and family is one of the easiest ways to provide a novel environment for your mind. This, in turn, helps combat cognitive decline.

Backed By Science

Research findings at Chicago’s Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Centre indicate that people who were actively social had 25% less cognitive decline. A study by Michigan University also reveals a positive link between socializing and cognitive performance. And, scientists at Brigham Young University found that loneliness and isolation can increase the chance of premature death by up to 30%. It’s clear that being social helps all ages. But, it’s particularly important as we age to prevent dementia and depression later life.

There’s no question that socialization helps our physical, mental and emotional health. So make some plans with your friends or family or put yourself in the company of others. Some fun social activities include volunteering, taking a class or joining a social club. This Easter, while you are enjoying spending time with loved ones and eating Easter treats, you can also celebrate that you are boosting your brain!

Do you want your brain to perform at its best, in the present and in the future? How can you achieve this? Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital conducted a study of 17 “superagers,” seniors who have the brain function of 20 year olds. The scientists searched for key differences between superager brains and regular brains. And, if so, whether the findings could help improve brain function throughout one’s lifetime.

Yes, there were differences and, yes, they found ways to boost brain function. Superagers brains were bigger in regions where the normal brains were smaller. Surprisingly, the areas weren’t associated with mental reasoning but, rather, linked to emotion.

How do you stimulate the emotional regions? Well, it’s not by reading a sad novel or getting angry. It’s by challenging yourself until you are outside your comfort zone, then you have to push past this stage. Interestingly, it can be either a physical like a strenuous hike or a mental effort like solving a difficult puzzle.

So what are some ways to challenge yourself?

Learn an instrument – set a deadline for when you’ll perform a song in front of your family, friends or peers

Study a new language – plan a date to read a book or to speak with a local in that language

Participate in Tough Mudder – or an equally physically challenging activity that will take you past your comfort zone. Eg. Cross Fit, cycling

Take up meditation – sign up for some classes or read a book and then practice for longer periods day after day

Using Fit Brains for just 5 minutes a day can help keep your brain challenged and engaged! Challenge your brain with Fit Brains now.

As the end of January looms around the corner, will you be one of the 58% of people who will stick to their New Year’s resolutions after the first month? According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, more 90% of us break them. It’s not just in North American where resolutions fail but it happens all across the world, thousands of resolutions are broken every year.

Why is that and how can you beat the insurmountable odds?

Most of us find it difficult to stick to resolutions because we need willpower. And, we only have a finite amount of it as it gets used up throughout the day. Think about all the choices you have to make: salad or chocolate, drink or run and so on. A study conducted by Stanford University divided a group of undergraduates students into those who had to remember a 2 digit number and those who had to remember a 7 digit one. And, then, they had to take a quick walk and they were given a choice between cake or fruit. Can you guess the results? The ones who had to remember the shorter number were half as likely to choose the cake.

So wait. How does this knowledge help with resolutions? Willpower is like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger you use it. Keeping this in mind, here are some ways to hack your brain to maintain your resolutions:

1. Choose Just 1 Goal

Don’t overwhelm your brain. Choose the one thing that you want to change the most. For example, I’ll challenge my brain by playing Fit Brains’ games.

2. K.I.S.S Keep It Simple

Break down the resolution into one easy, small task. Then, it will be more simple for you to make it a habit. It typically takes 45 days to create a habit. So, if we use the example above, a simple task could be I’ll play Fit Brains’ games for just 5 minutes per day. And, here’s a bonus, our games are fun which leads to our third tip.

3. Make It Fun

You’re more likely to stick to your goal if you enjoy doing it. Think of ways to make your change as fun as possible.

3. Make Yourself Accountable

Write it down and/or tell your friends, family and colleagues. There is mounting proof that your social group can significantly affect your behavior. So you can use your social network to receive positive support.

4. Focus On Your Wins

Give yourself rewards and positive feedback to improve your likelihood of success. Research by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, published recently in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, reveals that immediate rewards are strongly linked to achieving a long term goal. And, you know what else? The study found that immediate rewards were more effective than long-term delayed ones.

It’s not too late to make a resolution or to create a new one! If you think about it, is there anything more important than challenging your brain? Make 2017 your best year yet! Fit Brains’ games challenges all areas of your brain including memory, logic, concentration, visual-spatial and speed of thinking. Plus, we’re the only brain trainer that challenges both cognitive and emotional intelligence. If that’s not enough to convince you, we have the most and widest variety of fun smart games on the market.

Happy New Year! Wishing you health, happiness and success in 2017! Read about current brain news and leading brain research in our latest monthly brain digest.
Brain Science: Why Your Brain Makes New Year’s Resolutions So Difficult to Stick To and Ways to Work Around It

Are you considering running as one of your 2017 resolutions? A study by researchers at the University of Arizona may convince you! They found that running helps brain function, especially those involving complex cognitive skills like planning, problem solving and multitasking. The scientists also believe that these benefits would also help cognitive function later in life. Read more about this interesting study then why not go for a quick run today!

Brain Psychology: The Way Complaining Sets Your Brain Up For Negativity

Did you know that most people complain once a minute during a typical conversation? And, due to the wiring in your brain, the more you repeat a behaviour, the more easier it is to do? It’s the phenonmenon known as “neurons that fire together, wire together”. Complaining has negative effects on your brain and health. In fact, studies show that negative thoughts shrink the brain. Learn 4 easy methods to stop complaining and add it to your resolutions list!

Emotional intelligence (EQ), by 2020 will be one of the top 10 job skills according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report. EI has increasingly become more important in the workplace. It is a key factor for job hires, promotions and salary increases. Learn more about the importance of EQ and try one of our EQ games today. We’re the only brain trainer that challenges both cognitive and emotional intelligence.